Published on April 19, 2017 by Olivia Williams  
Page East Student Employee 2017

Page East, a second-year McWhorter School of Pharmacy student, is Samford University’s 2017 Student Employee of the Year.

East, who serves as a senior resident assistant in Beeson Woods, was honored at a ceremony April 13. She received a cash award presented by Samford President Andrew Westmoreland.

East is one of nine senior resident assistants (SRAs) in the Office of Residence Life and serves alongside 15 RAs in Beeson Woods. SRAs “serve as a resource for RAs through mentoring, supporting and guiding their efforts to build a strong living-learning community in each residence hall” in addition to other administrative duties.

East’s nominator for the award, Beeson Woods Residence Life Coordinator Rebekah DeBoer, applauded East’s work ethic, reliability, intentionality and constant encouragement amongst her coworkers and supervisors.

“It is no small thing to be a person whose coworkers above, alongside and below all recognize and appreciate your work and leadership,” said DeBoer. “Thank you for completing your work with excellence and lending us your creative abilities. Thank you for encouraging and stretching your RAs to be the best they can be. You’re a valued member of the residence life team.”

Westmoreland stressed the value of events such as this. “I think we all recognize that this is an important ceremony for us every year. It’s important for the students and their families, but also those who work in offices across the campus,” he said.

Seven other student employees were recognized for their contributions in areas across campus: Aimee Dykes, University Advancement Office and Alumni Programs; Aly Hilton, Human Development and Family Life Education Department; Carter Jackson, Student Leadership and Involvement; Julia Jackson, Career Development Center; Abby Senn, Academy of the Arts; Jessica Chappell Veazey, Office of Financial Aid; and Thomas Whatley, Printing Services.

Olivia Williams is a journalism and mass communication major and a news and feature writer in the Division of Marketing and Communication.

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.